Structural support



May 27, 1969 R. L. JONES STRUCTURAL SUPPORT Filed Jan. 26, 1968 FIG 5 INVENTOR. REX JONES BY A1 4 HIS ATTORNEY United States Patent U.S. Cl. 182-226 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to structural supports such as sawhorses and, more particularly, provides collapsible end stands as such supports which are easily assembled and are storable in a very small space. The stand halves of each of the supports are pivoted together, provided with suitable pivot and brace means so that the combined stand halves on each side of the crossbar of the sawhorse may grip the crossbar in a secure manner and at the same time provide rugged construction of the stand through the braces used. This disassembly from the crossbar is easily accomplished through disconnection of the braces and their urging in respective inward movements so as to arcuately space apart and thereby separate the angle supports of the stand halves from the theretofore gripped crossbar. Similar constructions may be disposed on opposite ends of the crossbar used.

The present invention relates to support constructions such as those generally known in the building industry as saw-horses, and, more particularly, a new and improved construction of the type described wherein the support stands used are individually disassemblable and storable in an easy and convenient manner. Each of the support stands comprises a pair of stand halves which are pivoted together and supplied with brace and gripping means for securely attaching the stand halves to the crossbar of the saw-horse when the braces are mutually secured together or are otherwise mutually engaged. Release of the gripping action of the stand halves against the crossbars is accomplished through disconnection of the leg braces employed and consequent inner movement thereof in the manner hereinafter illustrated.

In the past a number of difierent types of saw-horses have been designed for use by the construction and building trades. The older saw-horses were made entirely of wood, and were bevelled, sawed for length, and nailed on the job. This is an expensive process and requires a considerable amount of labor time. Additionally, there is the problem of storage.

Further improvements of saw-horse constructions in the past have utilized simply three-directional clamps on either side of the provided crossbar of the saw-horse. Such clamping means have not been too satisfactory since they require considerable time to assemble to the crossbar and also to the legs which must also be cut on the job and provided for the clamps. Furthermore, there has been some lack in rigidity of the construction at opposite ends of the crossbar. Additionally, saw-horses constructed in this manner have not proven very rigid and solid for use in supporting planks, plywood and so forth on the job for sawing, milling and other work.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved support construction such as that generally known in the industry as sawhorse constructions.

3,446,312 Patented May 27, 1969 A further object is to provide in a saw-horse construction a new and improved support stands for incorporation at either ends of the saw-horse. The individual support stands being pivotable for gripping and removal functions relative to the crossbar used.

A further object is to provide end support stands in saw-horse constructions or in such support stands are individually disassemblable and easily stored in compact elongate condition.

A further object of the invention is to provide a support stand construction for saw-horses wherein the brace means employed are used not only to brace the structure but also to engage and disengage the upper support structure' of the stand halves to and from the crossbar used. The features of the present invention which are be lieved to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a saw-horse incorporating the principles of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation partially in section and taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary, partially broken-away plan of a representative end of the saw-horse construction shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3, is somewhat reduced in scale, and illustrates the manner of en gagement and disengagement of the upper angle supports of a representative stand-half to and from the crossbar used.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view similar to FIGURE 4 and illustrates the stand halves as being fully-assembled together and in gripping engagement with the crossbar used.

In FIGURE 1 crossbar 10 is supported at its opposite ends by support stands 11 and 12. Support stand 11 comprises a pair of stand halves, designated as 13 and 14, which are pinned together by pin means 15 and 16 as hereinafter pointed out. Representative stand half 13 includes angle support 17, leg 18, and brace 19. Leg 18 includes an elongate portion 20 and a canted upper tip 21 the latter of which is welded to angle support 17 for fixed securement thereto. Hinge 22 is fixedly secured to elongate leg portion 20 and hinges thereto the brace 19 for rotation in the plane of leg 18. Arrow A indicates the direction of movement of the brace when the same is disconnected from cooperating brace 23, hereinafter described. Preferably, hinge 22 is so constructed to include a conventional, built-in stop so that brace 19 will not descend beneath a horizontal plane through hinge 22 even though the brace 19 is disconnected from brace 23. Brace 19 preferably comprises a channel which selectively slips over the top of square-bar brace 23.

Angle support 17 includes upstanding side flange 24 and base flange 25 integrally constructed therewith. See FIGURE 2. Base flange 25 includes a countersunk aperture 26 for receiving the head of pivot means 27. Pivot means 27 may take the form of simply a pivot pin 15 or, for example, may be threaded :at its lower end for receiving nut 28. Disposed on the inner side of upstanding side flange 24 of angle support 17 are a series of pointed protuberances 29 as seen in FIGURES 2 and 3.

Stand-half 14 is constructed in a manner similar to stand-half 13 and includes leg 30. Leg 30 comprises elongate leg portion 31 and upper tip 32 the latter of which is welded to upstanding side flange 33 of angle support 34. Angle support 34 also includes a base 35 provided with aperture 36 for receiving pivot means 27. A plurality of pointed protuberances 37 are positioned on the inner surface of upstanding side flange 33 in a manner indicated in FIGURES 2 and 3.

Brace 23 is hinged by hinge 38 to leg 30 in a manner similar to the hinge connection at 22 relative to leg 18.

Support stand 12 at the opposite extremity of crossbar 10 is constructed in similar fashion, with the support stand halves being designated as 13' and 14'. A possible sole exception is the opposite extension as to the direction of the corresponding angle supports 17 and 34', corresponding to angle supports 17 and 34, respectively, in FIG- URES 1-3.

The construction is assembled and operates are follows: Crossbar 10 will generally comprise a 2 x 4 length of lumber, for example, which is set into the support stands 11 and 12 in the manner indicated. See specifically FIGURE 4 in the construction shown in FIGURE 4, braces 19 and 23 are disengaged and pin 16 removed. Angle supports 17 and 34 are spread outwardly through the pivotal displacement provided about the vertical axis of pivot means 27. When it is desired that the crossbar 10 be mounted to support stand 11, then the crossbar is preliminarily inserted as shown in FIGURE 4 and the legs urged in directions B and C in FIGURE 4. This function is materially aided through the urging of the inner ends of bases 23 and 19 downwardly such that the channel-configured brace 19 may slip over brace 23 and the two braces pinned by pin means 16, if desired for use. Conceivably, the pivot means 16 may be deleted as well as the aligned apertures F provided in braces 19 and 23, this especially Where the hinges at 22 and 38 are so constructed that they will not descend below their horizontal pivot as previously pointed out.

Further gripping of stand halves 13 and 14 of the crossbar 10 at corresponding angle supports 17 and 34 may be accomplished by slight tapping of the hammer against the outer sides of angle supports 17 and 34. In any event, final attention is achieved through the intercooperation and releasable attachment of braces 19 and 23 in the manner indicated in FIGURE 1.

When the stand halves 13 and 14 are completely installed and secured together by their braces 19 and 23, the configuration in FIGURE obtains.

Stand halves 13 and 14', again, are similar construction to the construction of stand halves 13 and 14, correspond therewith, and are secured together subsequently in same manner as heretofore indicated. It should finally be mentioned that where it is desired for the pin means 16 and apertures F to be deleted, then the hinge should have conventional, built-in hinge stops '(not shown) preventing the braces from descending below the horizontal plane passing through the hinge points of hinges 22 and 38.

The assembly of the stand halves 13, 14, 13 and 14', have been above described. It is possible for the plane of the legs 18 and 30 to be angulated outwardly slightly relative to the base of the support stands, this for further assured support of crossbar 10.

It is to be noted that the support stands are easily stored and disassembled from the saw-horse construction S when including crossbar 10. The pins 16 and 16, if used, are simply removed and the braces 19 and 23' disconnected. Thereafter the braces can be urged inwardly so as to expand the inner extremities E1 and E2 (see FIGURE 4) of angle supports 17 and 34. This is turn releases the crossbar 10. Additionally, the stand halves 13 and 14 are easily disassembled by simply disengaging angle support 34 from pivot means 27. This may be accomplished automatically Where simply a pin is used as pivot means 27; or, the nut 28, it used, may be preliminarily removed. Finally, the four stand halves shown in FIGURE 1 can be easily stored, and this in a very compact manner with the braces 19 and 23, 19' and 23' being urged inwardly against their respective legs 18, 30, 18' and 30'.

In summary, the present invention provides an improved saw-horse or support stand construction S wherein simply a single crossbar such as a Wood 2 x 4 length sawed to desired length may be used in completing the construction of the invention with the stand as provided. Stand halves 13, 14, 13' and 14' are easily assembled, are pivotable in a manner heretofore indicated so as to cause a secure gripping by protuberances 29 and 37 of the 2 x 4 crossbar so that a rigid construction is had. The gripping and securement is further aided by intercooperating braces 19 and 23, 19 and 2-3, which not only add rigid support to the legs 18 and 30, for example, but also keep the upstanding side flanges 24 and 33 close to and in gripping engagement the crossbar 10. Disengagement of the stand halves from the crossbar is easily obtained through the initial, upward displacement of brace 19 so as to become disengaged from brace 23; then, the user simply pushes the inner ends of the braces inwardly so as to spread outwardly the ends E1 and E2 of angle supports 17 and 34. Thus, an easily assembled saw-horse construction is obtained, and this with stand-halves which are easily disconnected from each other and collapsed so as to store in a very small space.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the apmnded claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

'1. An end support stand for supporting a crossbar in a saw-horse construction, said support stand including, in combination, a pair of stand halves, pivot means for pivotally securing said stand halves together, said stand halves each including elongate leg means, crossbar support means rigidly secured to said leg means at upper extremities thereof, said pivot means being perpendicular to said crossbar support means and pivotally interconnecting said crossbar support means in pivotally securing said stand halves together, and brace means hingedly secured to each of said leg means beneath said pivot means, said brace means being releasably engaging each other.;

2. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said crossbar support means each comprise support angles having base flanges mutually secured together by said pivot means and outwardly disposed side flanges provided with inwardly directed protuberance means, said crossbar support means being constructed and arranged such that mutual engagement of said brace means urges said protuberance means to grip said crossbar at opposite sides thereof.

3. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said brace means are each hingedly secured to their respective leg means for pivotal movement about parallel, longitudinally oriented, horizontal axis.

4. Structure according to claim 2 wherein said brace means are each hingedly secured to their respective leg means for pivotal movement about parallel, longitudinally oriented, horizontal axis.

5. Structure according to claim 2 wherein one of said brace means comprises a downwardly oriented channel constructed for engagedly fitting over the remaining brace means.

'6. Structure according to claim 5 wherein pin means releasably secures said brace means together.

7. Structure according to claim 1 wherein a nut is threaded onto said pivot means for releasably retaining said lower flanges of said support angles together.

-8. A collapsible end support stand for supporting a crossbar in a saw-horse construction, said support stand including, in combination, a pair of stand halves, pivot means for releasably pivotally securing said stand halves together, said stand halves each including elongate leg means, crossbar support means rigidly secured to said leg means at upper extremities thereof, said pivot means being perpendicular to said crossbar support means and pivotally interconnecting said crossbar support means in releasably pivotally securing said stand halves together, and brace means hingedly secured to each of said leg means beneath said pivot means, said brace means releasably engaging each other.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

